THE largest haul of treasure ever found in Worcestershire goes on display from this Saturday in Hartlebury museum.

The Worcestershire Hoard, which was unearthed on Bredon Hill after 1,800 years underground in June 2011, has arrived back in the county after £9,000 was raised to keep it here.

Now everyone is being invited to come and check out the treasure with mums going free on Sunday in celebration of Mother’s Day.

Helen Large, marketing manager for Museums Worcestershire, said: “We are currently setting up the exhibition and are really excited about being able to have it on display again, particularly as it is the residents of

Worcester who have raised the money for us in acquiring it.
“It was really popular when it went on display before so we are expecting lots of visitors.”

The money to bring the hoard home was raised by residents, together with £4,500 from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s purchase grant fund and £2,250 from the Headley Trust Archaeological Acquisition Fund.

Worcestershire Archaeological Society also boosted the coffers by donating more than £1,000 to the appeal.

It is being shown as part of the Hoards, Handbags and Highway Men display, appealing to historians and fashionistas alike.

“The handbags are gorgeous apparently,” added Ms Large. “The display is looking at how people spent and saved their money so the hoard fits in well.”

The stash of almost 4,000 coins span 16 Roman emperors and it is believed they were being kept by their owner as savings.

Museums Worcestershire has been working on the coins but they will be displayed in an unconserved state until a new appeal is launched in April to raise money to conserve and permanently display the hoard.

Councillor John Campion, chairman of the joint museums committee, said: "It is so exciting to see the Hoard back in Worcestershire where it belongs. I hope lots of people will come along to Hartlebury to enjoy this unique piece of the county's history."

Conservation of the Hoard will take place at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum later in the year, and residents will be able to watch conservation as it happens.